Duell auf Biegen und Brechen in Bratislava
The UEFA Europa League qualifiers are currently in the hot phase as well. With Olympiakos Piraeus, a big name wants to qualify for this competition, but the Greeks are facing massive opposition.
Before the match between Slovan Bratislava and Olympiakos Piraeus, the odds of the best bookmakers show the visitors as favourites, but after the result and especially after the performance in the first leg, you have to trust the hosts in the second leg.
The second leg in Bratislava could be a battle of attrition, because both teams will not give in. Because every little mistake can be decisive, preventing them is likely to be the focus.
Slovan Bratislava – Statistics & current form
Slovan Bratislava from Slovakia is by no means a small name in European football. The team has repeatedly managed to qualify for final round tournaments. This summer, they are aiming for the Europa League again. After the 1:1 in the first leg away from home against individually superior Greeks, the team’s strategy should be clear. Stand compactly, set up pinpricks and ideally take the lead.
Slovan Bratislava won their dress rehearsal at home in the Fortuna Liga at the weekend. In the home match against Skalica they won 3:0, which was especially important because there were three different goal scorers. The team is currently making a good impression and is also leading the domestic league with nine points from four games.
Slovan Bratislava started this season in the qualification for the Champions League. The team beat Dinamo Batumi before it was not enough against Ferencvaros. Relegation” to the Europa League qualifiers was the logical consequence. In the end, five of eight competitive matches have been won so far, which is a good record.
Spectacles so far rather only national
It was noticeable that the results on the international stage vary somewhat compared to the domestic league. There, Slovan Bratislava play more freely, with more risk. 17 goals were scored in the four games involving the hosts in the national league, 13 in five games in the European Cup, including extra time.
The big spectacle should not be expected, which is why our prediction before the match between Slovan Bratislava and Olympiakos Piraeus is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored. Because these tips only include the regular 90 minutes, this does not seem unrealistic. Indeed, an increase in risk early on should only occur if one of the teams goes behind early.
Individually, the hosts have disadvantages, but collectively, such can of course be compensated for. The team is counting on this, as it did in the first leg.
Predicted line-up of Slovan Bratislava:
Chovan – Pauschek, Abena, Voet, de Marco – Agbo, Kucka, Zmrhal, Holman, Weiss – Saponjic
Last matches played by Slovan Bratislava:
Super League
07/08/2022 – Slovan Bratislava 3 – 0 Skalica
Europa League Qualification
05/08/2022 – Olympiakos Piraeus 1 – 1 Slovan Bratislava
Super League
30/07/2022 – Slovan Bratislava 4 – 2 Zemplin Michalovce
Champions League Qualifier
28/07/2022 – Slovan Bratislava 1 – 4 Ferencvaros
Super League
23/07/2022 – Slovan Bratislava 4 – 0 Trencin
Olympiakos Piraeus – Statistics & current form
Without a doubt, Olympiakos Piraeus has the bigger name in Europe than Slovan Bratislava. Individually, that is also completely true when looking at the squad. Sokratis, Pierre Kunde, Yann M’Vila, Mathieu Valbuena & Co. are still very good players in their respective positions. But big names alone are not enough, of course, because the necessary tactical orientation is also needed.
In contrast to Slovan Bratislava, Olympiakos Piraeus has not yet played a game in the domestic league. So there is less rhythm missing compared to the hosts. Three competitive matches have been played, in the Champions League qualifiers the Greeks fell to Maccabi Haifa. The results were 1:1 and 0:4. That is not to be repeated under any circumstances. In the first leg, the visitors were quite good, but played too intricately in the offensive area.
In any case, the statistics do not yet have much meaning this season. On a season-long basis, Olympiakos Piraeus have only managed one win from their last six games. There is definitely room for improvement.
Olympiakos Piraeus want to do better internationally
The Greeks did not play a model season in 2021/22 anyway. They were dominant at national level and conceded very few goals, but in the Europa League, after a mixed group stage with second place behind Frankfurt, they quickly lost to Atalanta. The Greeks want and have to do better here, but they have to qualify in the first place. Compared to the first leg, they will have to improve.
There is still a lot to do at the moment anyway, because the squad is very inflated with over 40 players. The high level of competition is also bound to cause problems within the team. If another disappointment follows in the qualification for the Europa League, this will have a negative effect on the mood. That should be prevented as a matter of urgency. Given the quality of the team, a win for Olympiakos Piraeus would in any case not be a surprise.
Projected line-up of Olympiakos Piraeus:
Vaclik – Pipa, Sokratis, Cissé, Reabciuk – M’Vila, Kunde, Bouchalakis – Zinckernagel, Valbuena, Tiquinho Soares
Last matches played by Olympiakos Piraeus:
Europa League Qualification
05/08/2022 – Olympiakos Piraeus 1 – 1 Slovan Bratislava
Champions League Qualification
28/07/2022 – Olympiakos Piraeus 0 – 4 Maccabi Haifa
20/07/2022 – Maccabi Haifa 1 – 1 Olympiakos Piraeus
Club friendlies
10/07/2022 – Olympiakos Piraeus 1 – 0 AZ Alkmaar
02/07/2022 – RB Salzburg 3 – 1 Olympiakos Piraeus
Slovan Bratislava – Olympiakos Piraeus Direct comparison / H2H-balance
There have been five matches between these two teams so far, all in qualifying rounds for international competitions. So far, the statistics have been absolutely pro Olympiakos. The Greeks have won three games and drawn two. Last season, the two faced each other in the Europa League play-offs, with Piraeus winning 5-2 after a first and second leg.
Slovan Bratislava – Olympiakos Piraeus Tip
The draw in the first leg means that both teams still have every chance of reaching the next round. The Slovaks have the better rhythm, Olympiakos Piraeus have individual advantages. So a very exciting match can be in the offing.
Compactness is important for both teams and possibly the key to success. Therefore, before the match Slovan Bratislava vs Olympiakos Piraeus our tip is that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.
